Chiefs release DT Roy Miller, add DT Cam Thomas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs released defensive tackle Roy Miller, two days after the veteran lineman was arrested on a charge of battery in a domestic incident involving his wife in Florida.

“We did release Roy and we’re going to move on from that,” head coach Andy Reid said following Miller’s release. “I can’t really talk about anything from a legal standpoint so I’m just going to leave it at that.”

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested Miller Saturday morning after the alleged battery. Miller was released on his own recognizance following a court appearance Saturday afternoon with a court date set for Nov. 28 to determine the case’s next step.

The Chiefs quickly moved to fill Miller’s roster spot, re-signing defensive tackle Cam Thomas, according to a report by ESPN’s Field Yates. The 30-year-old Thomas spent seven NFL seasons with San Diego, Pittsburgh and the Los Angeles Rams before signing as a free agent with the Chiefs during the offseason. Thomas appeared pencilled in as the backup to starter Bennie Logan before the team signed Miller.

Thomas picked up 7 1/2 sacks and 108 total tackles in 101 career games through his first seven seasons in the league.

Reid said defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches could fill the gap left by Miller in the short term, but suggested the team would likely add another defensive lineman soon.

“But we probably need to look into that and I’m sure something would happen here relatively quick,” Reid said less than an hour before news broke of the team’s acquisition of Thomas.

Miller signed with the Chiefs in August, providing added depth at defensive tackle behind Bennie Logan. Miller played seven games for the Chiefs this season, contributing on six total tackles and breaking up a pass.

The Chiefs attracted controversy last year with their choice of wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Hill was arrested in December 2014 for felony domestic assault and battery related to charges in struck and choked his then-pregnant girlfriend. He pleaded to charge in August 2015 and received three years probation as a part of the plea agreement.

Reid declined to comment Monday when asked if the team parting ways with Miller said any message about the club’s tolerance for allegations of the nature against Miller.

“I have no comment on that,” Reid said.

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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.